Free Events at Fort Churchill State Historic Park in August

SILVER SPRINGS, Nev. – Fort Churchill State Historic Park is offering a variety of events during the month of August, including a night hike, Chautauqua at Buckland Station and a full moon hike. Programs are free, but there is $7 per vehicle entrance fee; Nevada residents receive a $2 discount. Tours of Buckland Station are $1 per person; children 12 and under are free. Cash and checks are accepted; no credit cards. Contact Kim Clawson at 775-577-4880 or via e-mail at bucklandstation@hotmail.com for more information on these events. Like us on Facebook for more program and event information!

Saturday, August 3: Discovering Nocturnal Animals

Discover how nocturnal animals find their way around in the dark on this hike. The Carson River flows through Fort Churchill and is home to many animals that come out at night. This will be an easy two-mile hike. Reservations are required starting Monday, July 29 by calling 775-577-4880 or sending an e-mail to bucklandstation@hotmail.com. Leave your name, phone number and how many are in your party. Meeting location and route are made known upon reservation. Dogs are not permitted.

WHEN: Saturday, August 3 at 8:30 p.m.

WHERE: Fort Churchill is located approximately eight miles south of Silver Springs, NV on Highway 95A. Turn onto Fort Churchill Road and follow the signs into the park.

WHO: This event is open to the public and is sponsored by Fort Churchill State Historic Park.

Saturday, August 17: Margaret Breen Chautauqua at Buckland Station

Dr. Doris Dwyer will present Donner Party survivor Margaret Breen in this lively look into Nevada’s early history. In 1846, the Donner Party set out across Utah and Nevada, heading for California. Tragedy struck along the way and the party lost wagons, horses and cattle. Margaret Breen was one of the few who survived a harsh winter in the Sierras and made her way to California.

WHEN: Saturday, August 17 at 10:30 a.m.

WHERE: Fort Churchill is located approximately eight miles south of Silver Springs, NV on Highway 95A. Buckland Station is ½ mile south of the park’s main entrance. Cross the railroad tracks on Highway 95A and it is the white, three-story building on the left.

WHO: This event is open to the public. This “Humanities on the Road” event is sponsored by Nevada Humanities, which is Nevada’s nonprofit council affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Wednesday, August 21: Full Moon Hike

Explore Fort Churchill’s ruins in full moonlight. On this 0.6 mile long hike, discover what life was like for the soldiers stationed at the fort in the 1860s. Participants should bring water, good shoes, warm clothes and insect repellant. Flashlights are recommended. Dogs are not permitted.

WHEN: Wednesday, August 21 at 8 p.m.

WHERE: Fort Churchill is located approximately eight miles south of Silver Springs, NV on Highway 95A. Turn onto Fort Churchill Road and follow the signs into the park.

WHO: This event is open to the public and is sponsored by Fort Churchill State Historic Park.

The Nevada Division of State Parks plans, develops and maintains a system of parks and recreation areas for the use and enjoyment of more than 3.3 million visitors a year. The division was established in 1963 by the Nevada Legislature to form a new state park agency within the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The division manages and maintains 23 parks, historic sites and recreation areas in Nevada.